Steve Starr
- Go to BetOnline or Bovada for the latest odds on the 76ers vs Nets matchup
- NBA MVP frontrunner Joel Embiid registered 26 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in Saturday’s Game 1 win
- TNT will broadcast Game 2 from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Monday, April 17 at 7:30pm ET
Joel Embiid and James Harden led the 76ers to an easy 121-101 victory in Game 1 on Saturday. Can Mikal Bridges and the Nets rebound in Philadelphia on Monday night and even the series heading back to Brooklyn?
Before we look at the latest odds, check out the latest 2023 NBA Playoff Betting Odds and our guide to betting on NBA basketball.
76ers vs Nets
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
| Brooklyn Nets | +10.0 (-115) | +385 | Ov 214 (-110) |
| Philadelphia 76ers | -10.0 (-105) | -475 | Un 214 (-110) |
Embiid and Harden lead the way
Joel Embiid certainly didn’t dominate Game 1, making only seven of 15 shots for 26 points. But while it was a pedestrian stat-line for the NBA’s two-time reigning scoring champion, his mere presence in the middle created a ton of open shots for his teammates.
Philadelphia drained 21 three-pointers in Saturday’s 121-101 win, a playoff team record, with James Harden leading the way. The Beard looked healthy and in control, going seven for 13 beyond the arc with 23 points and 13 assists.
Jacque Vaughn was displeased with the lack of calls against Joel Embiid. pic.twitter.com/8N6oWk6Tfm
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 16, 2023
Get Brooklyn get back in the series?
Chances are the Sixers won’t make 48% of their 3-pointers in Game 2. So, expect Brooklyn to continue running multiple defenders at Joel Embiid. Doubling the NBA’s leading scorer (33.1 points per game) and hoping Philly’s outside shooting goes cold is probably still the best strategy.
Jacques Vaughn will also hope for better officiating. After Saturday’s defeat, the Nets head coach complained, “Hopefully they’ll be calling travel and three seconds on the big fella next game. So I’ll be looking forward to that.”
Philadelphia vs Brooklyn
Philadelphia is a 10-point home favorite on Monday night. In addition to blowing out Brooklyn in Game 1, Doc Rivers’ club covered 61% of their home games (25-16-1) during the regular season. That was the third-best mark in the NBA. The Nets had a solid 23-19 road record against the spread. But, many of those ‘covers’ came when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were suiting up.
The game total is set at a low 214 points – which makes sense assuming the 76ers’ don’t stay hot from the outside.
James Harden has FIVE threes before halftime 🤩 pic.twitter.com/tzVJvN8BOn
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 15, 2023
Series Bets
After Game 1, oddsmakers favor a Sixers sweep (+175) with Philly in 5 (+180) close behind. Brooklyn winning two games in the series is at +400. Betting on Embiid and Harden to not let the series get to Game 6 is also available at -225.
This 76ers-Nets series is exactly why the NBA was better served with Best-of-5 series matchups in the first round. While Mikal Bridges is blooming into a star, with 30 points in Game 1, Brooklyn simply doesn’t have the horses to hang with Philadelphia. Take the 76ers to win the series 4-1 (+180).
Best Bet
The Nets will bring their best effort in Game 2 on Monday. We expect Brooklyn to cover the 10 points but lose the game and fall behind 2-0 in the best-of-seven series heading back home.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
